Mets Lose to Nationals 3-2 And Struggle With RISP

Mets catcher Michael Perez (Photo Credits to John Jones-USA Today Sports)

 The New York Mets lost to the Washington Nationals 3-2 this afternoon in the first game of a doubleheader at Nationals Park and dropped their record to 19-21.

The game resumed after a rainout yesterday and it started up again in the top of the third.

LHP Joey Lucchesi got the start in yesterday's game and gave up a run in two innings.

RHP Stephen Nogosek came in next and had a scoreless bottom of the third.

Nogosek came back out for the bottom of the fourth and into trouble after he walked 3B Jeimer Candelario, gave up a single to LF Stone Garrett and then a RBI single to SS CJ Abrams.

Nogosek had a scoreless bottom of the fifth and was then taken out.

RHP Dominic Leone followed and had a scoreless bottom of the sixth, but gave up a solo homer to Abrams in the bottom of the seventh.

RHP Dennis Santana had a scoreless bottom of the eighth.

The offense was held scoreless for the first two innings, but broke through in the top of the third after DH Daniel Vogelbach singled, catcher Michael Perez doubled and then CF Brandon Nimmo drove in Vogelbach with a sacrifice fly.

In the top of the seventh, Perez singled, Nimmo doubled and then LF Jeff McNeil drove in Perez with a sacrifice fly.

The bats struggled all game with men on base and failed to get a timely hit. They went 1-6 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base.

The Mets have another game tonight at the Nationals at 4:35 p.m. in the second game of a doubleheader.